Closing ceremonies for Kabuki-za in Ginza

TOKYO (TR) – Closing ceremonies for the five-decade-old Kabuki-za theater, located in Chuo Ward’s Ginza district, will be held today.

Entertainment company Shochiku announced in 2008 that the theater, Japan’s home for kabuki since it was founded in 1889, will be rebuilt inside a large office-theater complex by 2013.

Shochiku said in an email statement that the Kabuki-za is an aging structure that is susceptible to earthquakes. It added: “Taking into consideration that its facilities are not barrier-free, we decided that it would be in the best interest of our customers for us to rebuild the theater.”

The existing structure was established following heavy damage inflicted during the Allied bombings of Tokyo in World War II. Farewell performances took place Wednesday.